Tag: Heartsick

Another crime thriller knocked out of the park. There’s development of relationships, a character back from a previous outing (Pearl) and one of the most heartbreaking ending of the series. This reread I found myself stalling while I read. I considered, very briefly, that the stall was perhaps fatigue and that I would need another book inbetween this and the next one.
It wasn’t the case; I just didn’t want to get to the ending. I feel everything Susan does and this not only brings back memories of the Night Season, it sucker punches her, twice. I get the moment I’ve been waiting five books for, and not only is it cut short… we get Archie’s internal thoughts afterwards.

There isn’t really anyone for the casting couch today. Yes, Rachel does make her appearance in this book, but I really think that she would be played by an unknown/upcoming actress.

This has always been my favourite installment of the series. My review on Good Reads claims its because there’s no Gretchen. I’m sure that’s part of it, but certainly for this reading it was because it’s the one I see being a movie most. I love the history that’s woven into the plot, I love that it’s someone other than Archie or Susan who finds themselves in a hospital bed.

I gave these books to one of my best friends and the bit I love the most; the relationship between Archie and Susan, is the bit she hates. I love how subtle he is compared to her. I believe that. Maybe because I see so much of myself in Susan I want to believe that it can happen.

My favourite part of this book is the weather; it’s atmospheric and reminds me of the filmic boldness of Se7en (1995). While the rain adds a subdued tone to Se7en, it must have been a bitch to film in.

Casting Couch

Lozenzo Robbins

Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) Perhaps a little older than the book describes, but I have always loved this dude and I think he has the ability to bring sass to the role.

Chadwick Boseman Newly appointed Avenger needs so grounded roles to even out the superhero stuff. Small role means it can be fitted in between Mouse House projects. While he’s an obvious choice in the same strand as Donald Glover (see below), he currently only has the Panther as his standout role. This could be the project that propels him beyond the Wakanda King.

Donald Glover This one for me is a little too obvious and bias. He’s Lando! Lando, for anyone who doesn’t know, is my all time favourite Star Wars character. He has all of Han’s roguishness, and ten times the charm. Never mind the fact that he’s now canonically pansexual. A flirt who finds anyone sexy, regardless of shape, size, colour; I admire that.
However, as I said, he’s too much of an obvious choice. With his film and music career, he’s the man of the moment. Nothing screams ‘ticking boxes’ like picking the most well known person of colour and saying ‘look we’re diverse’.
In reality, if I was producing this series, Robbins would actually go to a relatively unknown and upcoming actor.

Martin Ngyun

Ross Butler Another 13 Reasons Why actor in the mix here. Butler has been one of the stand out performances over the two series and I’m really glad he bowed out of Riverdale to complete series 2. He may be a little on the young side at 28, but hell he’s just spent the last few years playing characters ten years his junior, I’m certain he can go the other way.

Harry Shum Jr The Shadowhunters Alumni would be perfect for this role. Such a beautiful man! Okay, so I’ll also admit it, while this is a dream casting I am also thinking strategy. Having Either of these two in the role would bring a fandom to the cinema and if we start making these movies, there’s no way on earth we’re not getting to THIS film.

Jeff Heil

Tye Sheridan really got my attention as Wade Watts in Ready Player One! Interestingly enough I dismissed another 13 Reasons actor for his age, yet he’s is actually the same age as Tye. There’s a few scenes in this book that I would love to see Tye get his teeth into; two that see him play against Susan.

Quite possibly book I’ve read least out of the series. Have no idea why as it’s an incredible addition to the series. I did notice during my reread it was the only I don’t own on kindle as well as paperback.

My favourite aspect about this book, is the exploration of fandom. We get to see an almost cult following for Gretchen, people keeping track of how long she’s been free for, a manicure inspired by her and what is discovered to be a run of copy cat killings that, at first glance, are believed to have been done by Gretchen herself; breaking the pact she had made with Archie at the end of Sweetheart.

We see the introduction of the Reynolds family, which is brilliant enough on its own. A drug lord who lost his daughter to Gretchen. Jack, the patriarch of the Reynolds family, is someone Archie can turn to. It subverts that corrupt cop perception; Archie may be turning a blind eye to Jack’s enterprise, but he’s certainly not on the take. Then you find out that the family lawyer, is just that. Leo is the son to Jack and he seems to be enamored by Susan. While I am very much wanting Susan and Archie together by the end of this series, it’s nice to see someone showing Susan some affection and, more importantly, her playing it cool with him.

Casting couch

Leo Reynolds

Brendon Urie
There’s no one else I’d have in this role. I’m so set on this casting choice, I even used my question for a Q&A to see if he was open to film roles now that he’s done theatre. This inspired casting came about because Panic! At the Disco have a namesake song: Let Me Go.
On that thread, I would have a Panic! song within each film.

Jeremy Reynolds

Ansel ElgortLucas Hedges
Both Ansel and Lucas have this underlying creep factor while oozing charm. I think a little twist in their performance and they could bring Juston to life.

Joe KerryCharlie Heaton may be the more obvious choice from the Hawkins High boys, but hear me out. Charlie is exactly that, obvious. Stranger Things used and played up the ‘creep’ offensive. Add that to his ‘bad boy’ off screen persona, I just feel that it’s a little bit of typecasting that wouldn’t work for this.
However, in the book, Archie describes his connection to Justin. The fact that he’s a survivor, just like him. Who better to play against David Harbour than his hollywood ‘mini me’

Miles Heizer
Miles has already shown many layers to his acting throughout two series of 13 Reasons Why.

Jack Reynolds

Chris Cooper

Bryan Cranston

Richard Jenkins

James Caan

The only person on this list I’m a little unsure of, is Bryan Cranston. He might be better suited to the senator from the previous book. Chris Cooper would be my favourite choice as he has that air of command and a closer look to Urie. Damn, it’s hard when you have one person in mind.

Pearl

Bella ThorneMulti talented Thorne is a chameleon and would be perfect for the runnaway Pearl. Her music persona fits the description from this book, while her other roles prove that she is able to represent the adaptable Pearl that reappears in book 5.

The second installment is just as perfect for the silver screen as the first. Think Along Came a Spider meets Die Hard with a wicked soundtrack and a killer cast.

The flashbacks to Archie’s life are not as frequent in this outing that sees the Beauty Killer escape and spend some quality time with the detective. What I love most about Sweetheart is the relationship between Susan and Henry that’s developed when they are trying to search for Gretchen and her last victim.

What I love most of all about Chelsea’s work is how seemingly unrelated crimes tie up before the book finishes. It’s perfectly layered, so that when you go in for a second (*cough* fifth) reading, you will kick yourself for missing the clues.

Casting Couch

Debbie SheridanJessica Capshaw While renowned for her role as Arizona Robbins in Grey’s Anatomy, I will always remember her for her portrayal as Booths ex-wife in the tv series Bones.

Notable mentions go to Clea Duvall and Selma Blair who both could handle the role.

Buddy Anderson
As said before, this could be where Sam Rockwell fits in, but if not Paul Bettany or Edward Norton would be a perfect fit.

Derek makes an appearance in Heartsick, but it’s in Sweetheart he really gets page time. Someone like Liam Hemsworth, Alex Ludwig or Jack Reynor would fit the part.

Charlene Wood
Another character that is in the background, but consistently through the series. Being someone that Susan admires and detests means she has to have a certain look. For me, that would have to be the wonderful Kat Dennings.

I’ve just finished reading Heartsick for what must be the 10th time in five years. I had always loved my crime shows, but had never really gotten into the crime fiction genre. Aside from Faye Kellerman’s detective series which I read while completing my RE A-Level as the main character falls for an observant Jew and converts throughout the series, this was my first venture into the genre.

There are very few book series that would see me at the doors of a bookshop, counting down the seconds for them to open so I could continue to read. Which is exactly what I did one school holiday when I’d finished the third book in the series and needed the fourth. Which I went home and read in a record two hours.

I also have a quote from this book tattooed on my body. It sits alongside words by Douglas Adams, David Bowie, Glen Duncan and Kevin Smith (by way of the late and great Alan Rickman). I think that certainly gives you an idea of the quality of the writing.

Cain’s writing style could be likened to Michael Crichton in the sense that her stories are made for the screen, intentional or not. Heartsick is an easy, compelling read that integrates flashbacks in a seamless fashion. It has one of my favourite plots of the whole series and I love meeting the main characters for the first time. It’s the characters that truly make this series for me. Safe to say, exploring the book’s plot is difficult without giving away some of the narrative that’s best revealed through the book than me.

Casting Couch

As I’ve said, this series is made for the screen and I have always pictured certain people in the roles. It has changed over the years, but some have always stayed the same in my mind.

Archie Sheridan

Mark Ruffalo
For many years, and way before his performance as detective Dylan Rhodes, I saw Ruffalo in the main role of Archie. He had enough under his belt to suggest he could play the gruff detective.

Then, a little show called Stranger Things blew that casting out the water.

David Harbour
Okay, so David doesn’t have the curls that are described in The Night Season, but he’s now my Archie! There’s no doubt that this beautiful man can carry off the detective role, he’s been cast as FBI/ Agent/ Government official in no less than five films or shows. He’s also got that tortured soul down to a tee in Stranger Things.

Gretchen Lowell

Michelle Williams
While there are some obvious choices for the Beauty Killer (Charlize Theron being one), Williams is someone who is so obvious, she slipped my mind for many years. Not only is she stunningly beautiful, she is someone who could do ugly/pretty very well; something that is definitely needed for the sequels.

Kate McKinnon
While a little too young for the role, I feel she’s the ideal choice. One thing I’ve always noticed about high profile comedians (Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, Will Farrell), they play it straight like no one else. Put them in the role of a psycho; you have the most amazing performance that will chill you to the bone.
McKinnon is a beautiful actress and is an amazing, versatile, comedy star. It would shock everyone to see her take on this role and, while there’s no body of work to suggest it, I believe she’s got the talent that is reminiscent of Williams and could take on Lowell in her sleep.

Tricia Helfer
This is another ‘I can’t believe I didn’t think of it earlier’ casting choice. It’s since her performance on Lucifer that this has been on my mind. There’s no doubt that she’s worthy of the title ‘Beauty Killer’, and she has a record of playing morally compromised people. It’s a given that she’d be perfect in the role.

Lauren German
Another Lucifer actress who is completely stunning and perfect for the role. I have yet to see her in anything other than Lucifer, but even in that she’s shown a depth and breath of acting that suggests she could play Gretchen.

Henry Sobol

Michael Pena
This is a hard one as I know he doesn’t fit the bill, however since seeing him in Extinction I think he could give us the sarcastic nature of the character.

John Leguizamo
Again, not someone who fits the physical description, but I think acting wise he’s got it. I’ve always loved seeing him on screen from the very first time I heard him utter Tybalt’s ‘ I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee’. I’d love to say that while everyone was drooling over Leo, it was John who had my eye. Alas it was Dash Mihok’s Benvolio who had my heart.
And John’s turn in Moulin Rouge is nothing short of divine.Dash Mihok
It was only while researching John Leguizamo that I realised that Dash might be perfect for the role, if not a little too young.

Kate McKinnon
I’m not sure she’d be quite right for the news reporter who is thrown into Archie’s world in Heartsick. However, her interpretation could perhaps prove me wrong. Especially if she brings Holtzman to play.

Ksenia Solo
Lost Girl alumni, certainly fits the description and she can do angst. As Susan is a character I identify so much with, and I’ve always seen Ksenia as someone I’d kill to look like, I see her as a perfect fit.

Me, Me, Me
Okay and this is a little shameful, but I’d kill to play Susan. I have a face for radio, a chunky flabby body, I can’t do accents and I certainly can’t act. But I would learn if I got to play this role. She’s just so much fun and hell, getting to act alongside David Harbour would have me putting on my big girl pants and acting the shit out of the role so fast. I’m not gonna lie either, I always picture myself in the role when I’m reading it. Mainly because, fuck… I am Susan. I pick the wrong men, I feel like I’m always fighting the current yet I won’t let anyone fuck me over, twice.

Ian Harper

Domhnall Gleeson
In a role that’s part Hux and part Henry Beard, its made for Domhnall. I could see him having fun in the role without it being the abomination characterisation that befell him in Last Jedi.

Bliss Mountain

Julie Walters
This is very much dream casting. I’m not sure Walters has ever done a crime/thriller, but man I would love to see her with blonde dreads and she can certainly do that mothering thing well having spent eight or more years on the set of Harry Potter. Being Susan’s mother would see her channeling Molly but also an element of Petula from Dinner Ladies.

Honorary mentionCarrie Fisher
Damn, this woman will always be my hero. She would have made an AMAZING Bliss. A woman who beats to her own drum and doesn’t take shit?!

SPOILER ZONE

There’s one other person I’d love to cast in the film, however I can’t give you the name of the character without giving away the biggest reveal of the book. Equally, I doubt he’d be cast for that exact same reason. As soon as you see him, you’d perhaps know he was the killer/abductor. That said, Sam Rockwell is someone I’d have to have in the film and he has always been the only person I’d have for the role. I’ve always seen him as the abductor when reading it; mainly because he can do sleaze, he can do charming, he can do vulnerable and he can do anger. The character would need to balance all of this, be on the edge of suspicion yet have audiences thinking RED HERRING until the moment the rug is finally pulled.